On this day in space! Oct. 24, 1946: V-2 rocket takes 1st photos of Earth from space
On October 24, 1946, a U.S. Army V-2 rocket launched from New Mexico and captured the first-ever photograph of Earth from space.
On October 24, 1946, a U.S. Army V-2 rocket launched from New Mexico and captured the first-ever photograph of Earth from space. The launch took place at the White Sands Missile Range. The rocket carried a 35-millimeter motion picture camera that took a new frame every second and a half.
It reached an altitude of about 65 miles before crashing back down at roughly 340 miles per hour, destroying the rocket and camera. However, a steel case protected the film, and scientists drove into the desert to recover it. Capturing Earth from space inspired a desire for continued space exploration and led to unexpected societal changes.
Military and intelligence agencies recognized the potential for large-scale reconnaissance. This capability eventually expanded to agriculture and meteorology, turning Earth observation into a primary reason for deploying modern satellites and space stations. Seeing the planet as a fragile orb set against an endless black void also helped give birth to the environmental movement.
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Original publication: 24 October 2026 21:03
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